Barrow Raiders earned their first win of the season in the Championship when they beat Halifax Panthers 18-16.
It was a determined and committed performance from the south Cumbrians who travel to Halifax next week in the Challenge Cup.
They had made a great start with a try after only five minutes. A good passing move down the right ended with Jarrad Stack diving in for the try. Jarrod Sammut’s conversion hit the post.
The Panthers came back and on 13 minutes broke through. Former Whitehaven half-back Louis Jouffret danced through the home defence to touchdown.
The conversion attempt from Joe Keyes clipped the outside of the post so the scores stayed level.
It was level-pegging now, set for set with defences generally on top until the 24th minute when Halifax went ahead.
A dummy from Keyes created the space for debutant Brandon Pickersgill to go in for a try. Keyes converted for a a 10-4 lead.
Five minutes before the break Barrow were over to reduce the arrears. Ryan Johnston hoisted a high kick which was palmed back by Shane Toal and Wigan loanee Ian Thornley marked his debut by collecting and diving over.
Sammut failed with the conversion attempt but a minute before the break he put over a penalty to level the scores.
The Panthers really put the pressure on after the re-start and Barrow had to defend for their lives.
Eventually Halifax took the opportunity to go ahead with a Keyes penalty on 50 minutes.
When the siege was eventually raised Barrow nosed ahead.
After pressure down the left wing brought a scrum, the ball was fed out right where Sammut evaded the first tackle and had the strength to dive over the line!, He added the extras to give his side a four-point lead.
It was a frantic, intense end to the game but Barrow would not budge in defence and held on for a vital first Championship win.
